Download Resolution 53/12 - United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime

Resolution 53/12
Strengthening systems for the control of the movement
of poppy seeds obtained from illicitly grown opium
poppy crops
The Commission on Narcotic Drugs,
Recalling Economic and Social Council resolution 1999/32 of 28
July 1999, on the international regulation and control of trade in
opium poppy seeds,
Recalling also its resolution 51/15, pursuant to which the
International Narcotics Control Board sent a questionnaire to
Governments concerned with a view to collecting information on
measures taken by Member States to implement Economic and Social
Council resolution 1999/32,
Considering article 22 of the Single Convention on Narcotic
Drugs of 1961, 1 on the prohibition of the illicit cultivation of the
opium poppy, and the Action Plan on International Cooperation on the
Eradication of Illicit Drug Crops and on Alternative Development, 2
adopted by the General Assembly at its twentieth special session,
Emphasizing the need to fight the illicit cultivation of opium
poppy by all possible means,
Aware that, according to the provisions of the 1961 Convention,
trade in poppy seeds is not subject to international control,
Recognizing that there is a need to prohibit the international
trade in opium poppy seeds obtained from illicitly grown opium
poppy plants,
Noting that poppy seeds derived from illicit cultivation are
available on a large scale from countries where the cultivation of
opium poppy is prohibited,
Acknowledging that the import, export and transit of opium
poppy seeds are prohibited in many countries where opium poppy is
illicitly cultivated,
Noting with concern the information contained in the report of
the International Narcotics Control Board for 2009, according to
which drug traffickers continued to smuggle opium poppy seeds from
countries where the cultivation of opium poppy was not permitted and
to attempt to sell those seeds on the world market,3
Also noting with concern that in some countries opium poppy
seeds obtained from illicitly grown opium poppy are used to
camouflage and conceal shipments of poppy straw,
1
2
3
United Nations, Treaty Series, vol. 520, No. 7515.
General Assembly resolution S-20/4 E.
Report of the International Narcotics Control Board for 2009 (United Nations
publication,
Sales No. E.10.XI.1), para. 65.
Resolving to consider measures that may be taken to prevent the
international movement of poppy seeds obtained from illicitly grown
opium poppy, in line with recommendation 28 of the International
Narcotics Control Board contained in its report for 2009,
1.
Requests the International Narcotics Control Board and the
United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime to continue to assist
Member States in taking appropriate measures to ensure the full
implementation of article 22 of the Single Convention on Narcotic
Drugs of 19614 by Member States concerned;
Encourages all Member States to endeavour, consistent
2.
with their national laws and regulations and applicable international
regulations, to import opium poppy seeds derived from licitly grown
opium poppy crops;
3.
Encourages the Governments of countries that permit the
importation of poppy seeds to put in place, if they have not already
done so, the procedures envisaged in Economic and Social Council
resolution 1999/32 of 28 July 1999;
4.
Encourages Member States to continue to inform the
International Narcotics Control Board of measures taken to implement
Economic and Social Council resolution 1999/32, in line with
Commission resolution 51/15;
5.
Urges Member States to inform the International Narcotics
Control Board of any suspicious transactions involving opium poppy
seeds and seizures of poppy seeds derived from illicitly cultivated
opium poppy, consistent with their national laws and regulations;
Invites Member States that are licit producers of opium
6.
poppy seeds and importing countries to share available information on
the movement of opium poppy seeds and on their experiences in
dealing with the movement of opium poppy seeds in conjunction with
the fifty-fourth session of the Commission, consistent with their
national laws and regulations;
7.
Encourages Member States where opium poppy is illicitly
cultivated to cooperate closely with the Governments of neighbouring
countries in order to prevent smuggling of poppy seeds;
Requests the Secretary-General to transmit the text of the
8.
present resolution to all Governments for their consideration and
implementation.
10th Plenary Meeting
12 March 2010
4
United Nations, Treaty Series, vol. 520, No. 7515.